Nangarhar - Fourteen former Taliban fighters, who recently renounced violence, joined a Government peace and reconciliation process today in the eastern regional hub of Jalalabad.

The ex-fighters also handed over 13 weapons and communication equipment to the Nangarhar Provincial Peace Council.

While welcoming them at a ceremony in Jalalabad, the chief of the Provincial Peace Council, Haji Nazeer, called on them to work to rebuild the country.

“So far, you were destroying bridges and schools and were fighting against the people and the Government. The Government is forgiving you,”said Mr Nazeer, adding that each of them will receive 5,000 Afs as monthly incentive from the Government for three months. After that, he said, they will try to find them job opportunities.

The 14 ex-Taliban fighters, who reconciled today with the Government, were all from Kunar and were fighting in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces.

According to Mawlawi Muhamad Abas, the deputy head of the Provincial Peace Council, a total of 106 members of the anti-Government groups have joined the peace process in Nangarhar since the Council branch was set up there seven months ago. “Fifty of them are now employed by the Ministry of Public Health,” he said.

Supporting Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process is one of the mandates of UNAMA.

Speaking at today’s ceremony, the provincial chief of police, Abdullah Stanekzai, said this kind of development plays positive role in improving security of the area and also encourages others to join the process. “These (ex-)Taliban who joined this process enjoy the rights like any other Afghan to live with us and we will do our best and provide security for them,” he said.

The commander of the group who joined the Government peace process today, named Abdull Manan Muslimyar, said they started their fight against the Government four years ago.

Mr Abas of the Peace Council said finding jobs for the ex-militants is very important because this will help them support their families and also keep themselves busy so that they won’t go back to militancy.

By UNAMA Jalalabad